Said has a PhD degree in Chemical Engineering from Universidad Industrial de Santander. His research was focused on natural polyphenols, lipid chemistry, encapsulation using colloidal systems, in-vitro bioavailability, and related and non-related chromatographic techniques. In 2015 he won a scholarship to complete a course in chocolate science at Belgium University. Immediately after that, Said joined the Decker lab as a research fellow with a research focus on lipid oxidation chemistry and liposomes to control oil peroxidation. He also developed a research internship in a Foodomics Lab (Spain) focused on comprehensive LCxLC techniques and mass spectrometry. Said has published 8 papers and one chapter in high impact journals. Finally, he was awarded the “Eloy Valenzuela award” from Universidad Industrial de Santander and also received a Laureate Ph.D. thesis in 2018. Before joining the Peterson group, he gained experience as a Process & Plant engineer and as a R&D Researcher in the food industry.
During his free time, Said loves swimming, traveling, cooking, doing outdoor activities, and spending time with friends.